Beer tapping device

ABSTRACT

DISCLOSED IS A BEER TAPPING DEVICE INCLUDING AN IMPROVED ADAPTER FOR ATTACHMENT IN THE BEER OUTLET OF A STANDARD KEG. THE ADAPTER IS AN ALL-METAL BRAZED CONSTRUCTION INSERTABLE FROM OUTSIDE THE KEG WITH LATERALLY OFFSET LIQUID AND GAS PASSAGEWAYS TERMINATING WITHIN THE KEG. ALSO DISCLOSED IS A NOVEL METALLIC VALVE RETAINER ASSEMBLY WHICH ALSO SEGREGATES THE BEER AND GAS PASSAGEWAYS IN THE ADAPTER. A NOVEL DOUBLE SEAL CONSTRUCTION ON THE COUPLING UNIT PROBE IS ALSO PROVIDED. THE ADAPTER IS RETAINED ABOUT THE KEG OPENING BY AN ANNULAR COLLAR WHICH IS FORMED OF TUBULAR STOCK PARTS BRAZED ONE TO THE OTHER. THE ADAPTER BODY IS COMPRISED OF PARTS ALSO FORMED FROM TUBULAR AND BAR STOCK WHEREBY AN ALL-METAL BRAZED AND COMPARATIVELY INEXPENSIVE CONSTRUCTION IS AFFORDED.

April 17, 1973 Original Filed Nov.

M. S. JOHNSTON BEER TAPPING DEVICE 2 Sheets-Sheet l SIG 350 INVENTORMACK S. JOHNSTON April 17, 1973 M. s. JOHNSTON BEER TAPPING DEVICE 2Sheets-Sheet 2 Original Filed Nov. 5, 1968 FIG? INVENTOR MACK S.JOHNSTON ATTORNEYS United States Patent Oflice Re. 27,627 Reissued Apr.17, 1973 27,627 BEER TAPPING DEVICE Mack S. Johnston, Rolling Hills,Calif., assignor to Draft Systems, Inc., Northridge, Calif.

Original No. 3,497,114, dated Feb. 24, 1970, Ser. No. 773,380, Nov. 5,1968, which is a continuation-in-part of Ser. No. 676,291, Oct. 18,1967. Application for reissue Dec. 31, 1970, Ser. No. 103,352

Int. Cl. B67d 5/54 U.S. Cl. ZZZ-400.7 17 Claims Matter enclosed in heavybrackets II appears in the original patent but forms no part of thisreissue specification; matter printed in italics indicates the additionsmade by reissue.

ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE Disclosed is a beer tapping device includingan improved adapter for attachment in the beer outlet of a standard keg.The adapter is an all-metal brazed construction insertable from outsidethe keg with laterally offset liquid and gas passageways terminatingwithin the keg. Also disclosed is a novel metallic valve retainerassembly which also segregates the beer and gas passageways in theadapter. A novel double seal construction on the coupling unit probe isalso provided. The adapter is retained about the keg opening by anannular collar which is formed of tubular stock parts brazed one to theother. The adapter body is comprised of parts also formed from tubularand bar stock whereby an all-metal brazed and comparatively inexpensiveconstruction is afforded.

This application is a continuation-in-part of copending application Ser.No. 676,291, filed Oct. 18, 1967, for Beer Tap, now abandoned, whichapplication is a continuation-in-part of copending application Ser. No.611,610, filed Jan. 25, 1967, for Beer Tapping Device (issued Nov. 12,1968, as U.S. Letters Patent No. 3,410,458); said application Ser. No.611,610 being in turn a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No.587,- 627, filed Oct. 18, 1966, for Tapping Device for Beer Kegs and thelike (issued Jan. 14, 1969, as U.S. Letters Patent No. 3,422,448), whichapplication Ser. No. $87,627 is a continuation of application Ser. No.406,682 (now abandoned), filed Oct. 27, 1964, for Siphon Device for BeerKegs and the Like; said application Ser. No. 406,682 being in turn acontinuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 395,084 (issued Jan. 25,1966, as U.S. Letters Patent No. 3,231,154), filed Sept. 8, 1964, forSiphon Device for Beer Kegs and the Like, and application Ser. No.150,982 (now abandoned), filed Nov. 8, 1961, for Siphon Device for BeerKegs and the Like; said application Ser. No. 395,084 being in turn acontinuation of [said] application Ser. No. 150,982, (now abandoned),filed Nov. 8, 1961 for "Siphon Device for Beer Kegs and the Like. [Thisapplication is also a continuation-in-part of copending application Ser.No. 551,744, filed May 20, 1966, for Beer Tapping Device, which is acontinuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 406,682 (now abandoned),filed Oct. 27, 1964, for Siphon Device for Beer Kegs and the Like; saidapplication Ser. No. 406,682 being in turn a continuation-in-part ofapplication Ser. No. 395,084 (issued Jan. 25, 1966, as U.S. LettersPatent No. 3,231,154), filed Sept. 8, 1964, for Siphon Device for BeerKegs and the Like," and application Ser. No. 150,982 (now abandoned),filed Nov. 8, 1961, for Siphon Device for Beer Kegs and the Like saidapplication Ser. No. 395,084 being in turn a continuation of saidapplication Ser. No. 150,982.]

The present invention relates to a new and improved tapping device fordrawing liquid such as beer from containers such as beer kegs orbarrels, using a gas to drive the fluid from the container. Inparticular, the invention relates to a new improved tapping deviceusable with conventional beer kegs such as the so-called Peerlesssystems, and particularly to a sub-unit called a keg adapter whichconstantly seals the keg and cooperates with another sub-unit called ac0upler" which is attached to the beer dispensing apparatus in arestaurant or tavern and is readily connected to the keg adapter so thatthe tapping device is automatically in operating condition.

Today, as in the past, the most widely prevailing practice in the beerindustry is for a brewery to provide draft beer to retail outlets inconventional kegs which, for the most commonly used Peerless" system,have a threequarter inch opening in the top closed with a hung in theform of a cork or plug. To dispense the beer from the keg, the bartendertaps the keg by knocking or pushing in the bung and inserting anelongated tap rod with an associated siphon" device for drawing the beerfrom the keg, these being fastened to the keg by means of a bayonet orlike connection. This siphon device includes means for injectingcompressed air or CO, through the tap rod into the keg to drive the beerthrough the siphon and also external valve means for respectivelycontrolling flow of gas into the keg and beer from the keg. A gas supplyhose connects the siphon to a source of gas, and another hose connectsit to the beer dispensing apparatus mounted on the counter or bar in therestaurant or tavern whereby the beer may be dispensed from the keg.When the beer has been withdrawn from the keg to the extent feasible,the bartender then removes the tap and siphon device from the keg,removes the keg from the dispenser cabinet, and installs a new keg andrepeats the process of knocking or pushing in the bung and installingthe tap rod and related siphon equipment. The same tap rod and siphonare used for every keg and must be washed and cleaned periodically toprevent fouling and contamination.

The prevailing practice in tapping a beer keg which has been used forfifty years has a number of disadvantages for the brewery, thedispensing establishment, and the public. These are set forth in moredetail in my U.S. Patent No. 3,244,448 and application Ser. No. 406,682,filed Oct. 27, 1964, now abandoned.

Briefly, they include the fact that the kegs often become filled withinsects, small animals, and debris of every sort. Yeast and other solidsfrom the beer inevitably accumulate with the resultant accumulation ofthe destructive bacteria. Furthermore, a substantial quantity of beer isoften lost during the tapping process. Other disadvantages include thefact that conventional tapping systems require a certain amount ofstrength and may be dangerous to the bartender so that it is morediflicult to tend bars.

In my aforementioned U.S. Patent No. 3,422,448 and Ser. No. 406,682filed Oct. 27, 1964, now abandoned, I have disclosed a new improved beertapping device for dispensing beer or like liquids in kegs or barrelswhich overcomes the above-discussed and other problems and shortcomingsof beer dispensing systems heretofore available and also provides anumber of important advantages and improved results as hereinafter setforth. Particularly, the invention of such applications provides new,improved means for packaging and dispensing beer and like liquids inkegs utilizing an adapter assembly installed and sealed in the keg atthe brewery with an also improved coupler subassembly which is fastenedto the keg adapter by the tavern keeper or bartender, thus automaticallybreaking the seal and readying the keg for dispensing of beer. Simpleremoval of the aforementioned coupler subassembly by the bartendercauses the keg to automatically reseal, thereby positively preventingthe entry of trash and other foreign objects. In

addition, the beer is positively prevented from entering the gaspassageway portion of the tapping device, thus preventing contaminationor fouling of this portion of the device by dried beer residue, normallyaccumulating due to the surging of the beer.

In my US. Patent No. 3,410,458, there is disclosed a similar improvedtapping device including an adapter sub-unit having a transition elementforming a part of separate liquid and gas passageways. In the device ofthat application, the liquid passage through the transition element hasits lower end offset to take optimal advantage of the limited spaceavailable while, at the same time, rendering the adapter unit compatiblewith existing systems and particularly with existing cleaning equipment.

In copending application Ser. No. 676,291 filed Oct. 18, 1967, nowabandoned there is disclosed an improved tapping device including a kegadapter having improved enlarged liquid and gas passageways,particularly useful in series" beer keg installations. Specifically, akeg adapter of that application is compirsed of parts completelysurrounded by metal, such as stainless steel or the like, and includes alocking mechanism for locking a metallic valve retaining insert in placeas to maintain complete separation of gas and liquid passageways throughthe adapter. The keg adapter also includes a similar transition elementas in US. Patent No. 3,410,458 and the keg adapter can be inserted fromthe top of the keg, avoiding any difiiculties associated with priorunits, many of which had to be inserted and assembled from the keginterior.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide afurther novel and improved beer tapping device and novel improved kegadapter subassembly and components for the same of the general typedisclosed and claimed in my aforesaid copending applications Ser. Nos.406,682 and 676,291 and US. Patents Nos. 3,422,- 448 and 3,410,458 as toprovide additional improvements in the construction, mode of operationand result as set forth below.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an all-metalkeg adapter (with the exception of the valve seat and gas check valvedescribed hereinafter) having relatively simplified and inexpensivelymanufactured parts which, when assembled, provide an all-metal integralkeg adapter construction, the keg adapter having improved enlargedliquid and gas passageways adapting the tapping device particularly foruse in a series beer keg installation. It is a related object of thepresent invention that such parts as comprise the keg adapter and whichare welded one to the other as by brazing to provide the all-metalconstruction thereof, may be inexpensively formed from readily availabletubular and bar stock as applicable.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide animproved tapping assembly and particularly an improved keg adaptersubassembly in which the parts thereof are formed of metal and welded,specifically brazed, one to the other to form an integral metal adapterunit. Keg adapter assemblies thus formed have increased strength andeliminate and/or minimize the areas in similar keg adapter units(wherein the parts are screw threaded one to the other or screwedotherwise than to form a unitary integral construction) which readilypack yeast and other solids of the beer thereby permitting the growth ofbacteria and generally contaminating the entire unit. In addition, byforming a unitary, all-metal unit, the keg adapter may be readilycleaned.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved beertapping device and adapter assembly therefor having an improvedmechanism for locking the valve retaining metal insert in place as tomaintain a complete separation of the gas and liquid passages throughthe adapter. Whereas the metal insert in my copending application Ser.No. 676,291 is retained in the keg adapter by a pair of locking pins, ithas been found that an inexpensive and readily constructed locking ringcan be provided and which can effectively perform this function.Moreover, the locking ring may be readily inserted into the keg adapterwithout unduly inhibiting the gas passage between the metallic insertand the keg adapter tubular body thereby retaining the enlarged gaspassageway necessary, for example, when the tapping device hereof isemployed in a series beer keg installation.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a uniqueimproved sealing assembly on the probe of the coupler unit whichprovides an etiective double seal arrangement separating the gas andliquid passages, prevents spitting of the beer when the coupler unit isdisassembled from the keg adapter prior to reseating of the liquid valvein the keg adapter, and maintains the gasliquid seal should the lowerseal abrade or otherwise wear and become ineffective thereby preventingthe beer from becoming wild and precluding entry of beer into the gaspassages.

Still further objects of the present invention are to provide a new andimproved tapping device for kegs or the like which achieve theabove-discussed objects and advantages and which also include a siphontube, the lower end of which flares outwardly to improve ingress of beerfrom the keg into the siphon tube and through the keg adapter; a twopart retaining collar construction unitarily connected one to the other,each part of which is formed of readily available tubular stock whereinthe unitary collar thus formed replaces the customarily machined andexpensive bar stock collar construction previously employed for likepurposes on similar tapping units; a unique bottom plate constructionintegrally connected to the lower end of the keg adapter therebypreventing ingress of gas or fluid into the keg adapter other- Wise thanby the gas and liquid passageways; a novel means of connecting the gascheck valve to the keg adapter, the gas check valve comprising aflexible envelope having elongated slits; and, in general, the reductionin cost of the entire tapping device as compared with the cost ofsimilar units heretofore available.

These and further objects and advantages of the present invention willbecome more apparent upon reference to the following specifications,claims and appended drawings wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a schematic view showing the novel packaging and dispensingtapping device of the present invention as installed in a beer kegassociated with the beer dispenser in a so-called Peerless type systemin conjunction with a source of gas under pressure; the beer keg beingbroken away and shown in cross section for ease of illustration;

FIGURE 2 is a vertical cross section through a portion of the tappingdevice of FIGURE 1, particularly show ing the details of the noveladapter unit and coupling unit probe illustrating the manner in whichthe adapter unit is mounted to the beer keg, the coupler unit mounted tothe keg adapter, and the integral construction of the keg adapter;

FIGURE 3 is an exploded perspective view of portions of the adaptersubassembly of FIGURES 1 and 2, particularly illustrating the metallicparts thereof which are joined one to the other to provide an all-metalkeg adapter construction (excepting certain valve parts) with isolatedliquid and gas passages through the adapter;

FIGURE 4 is a plan view of the keg adapter;

FIGURE 5 is an exploded perspective view of the keg adapter illustratingthe parts of the gas check valve, the novel metallic insert and retainerring hereof prior to assembly;

FIGURE 6 is a cross sectional view of the keg adapter in the keg openingand taken about generally on line 6-6 of FIGURE 2;

FIGURE 7 is an exploded cross sectional view of the parts forming theretaining collar employed to secure the keg adapter hereof within thekeg opening;

FIGURE 8 is a fragmentary cross sectional view thereof taken about online 8-8 of FIGURE 7;

FIGURE 9 is a fragmentary vertical cross sectional view of the partsillustrated in FIGURE 7 in final assembly; and

FIGURE 10 is a fragmentary cross sectional view illustrating the noveldouble seal arrangement on the coupler unit probe hereof and itscooperation with the metallic insert of the keg adapter.

The beer or similar tapping device of the present invention is, in manyrespects, similar to that disclosed and claimed in my copendingapplication Ser. No. 676,291 filed Oct. 18, 1967, now abandoned. Likeparts bear like reference numerals to the extent feasible. Thedisclosure of each copending application Ser. No. 676,291 filed Oct. 18,1967 and application Ser. No. 406,687 filed Oct. 27, 1964 and US.Patents Nos. 3,422,448 and 3,410,458 are, in their respectiveentireties, incorporated herein by reference as though herein fully setforth.

Referring to the instant drawings especially to FIGURE 1, there isschematically shown a conventional beer keg of the so-called Peerlesstype having an opening 22 in its top wall 24 in which opening there isreceived the adapter unit B of the present invention, this unit beingsemi-permanently installed in keg 20. A normally closed cleaning opening27 is formed in the side wall of the keg. Coupler unit A of the presentinvention can be readily connected with keg adapter unit B to form atapping assembly as hereinafter amplified. The dispenser coupler unit Ahas a gas inlet port and fitting 25 adapted to receive a coupler 26 atthe end of a gas supply tube 28 whch communicates with a gas supplytank, not shown. If desired, a valve 32, of conventional type, may beprovided for gas control at the location of keg 20. The dispensercoupler unit also has a beer exit fitting 34 threaded as at 35 in FIGURE2 to receive a conventional coupler unit 36 at the end of an exible tube38 through which beer is conducted to a conventional dispenser faucet40. If desired, a suitable valve 42 may also be associated with thecoupler 36 in the conventional manner for control of the beer fiow atthe keg 20. The arrangement of FIGURE 1 is shown merely for the purposeof illustrating usage of the present invention. Since the componentsthereof, other than units A and B, do not comprise a part of the presentinvention, further description thereof is believed unnecessary asdispensing arrangements for use with the new, improved tapping devicehereof will be apparent to those skilled in the art in light of thedisclosure herein.

Referring particularly to FIGURE 2, the new improved tapping device ofthe present invention comprises two main units A and B, herein generallycalled the "dispenser-coupler and a keg adapter," respectively. Thedispenser-coupler unit A comprises a main cylindrical head portion 44which is provided with a smooth, internal central bore 45 and carries aninternallythreaded collar 118 for fastening the dispenser-coupler to thekeg adapter unit B as explained below.

A tubular arm 144 having a central bore is preferably formed integralwith head 44 and is adapted to receive the end of a piece of tubing 28and connects the coupler unit A to the tank of pressurized CO or air notshown. Coupler unit A also includes a generally cylindrical hollow probe45 which is positioned within the bore 44a provided in head 44. Thecentral bore of the probe forms the sole liquid passageway through thecoupler unit A and incoming gas passes through the coupler in theannular area about the probe. A pair of different diameter sealing rings47a and 47b are provided adjacent the lower end of probe 45 and seal thegas and liquid passageways one from the other in a manner more fullydescribed hereinafter. Coupler head 44 is also provided with a pluralityof projections 49 for positioning an aligning collar 118 on the head.The head 44 is preferably integrally formed of a plastic material whilethe probe 45 is preferably formed of stainless steel.

An annular member is integrally formed on the lower end of head 44 andretains collar 118 between it and the projection 49, the collar 118being rotatably mounted on the coupler head 44. The collar 118 has aplurality of handle portions 119 formed integrally therewith. Collar 118is internally threaded at 124 for cooperation with the threaded portion128 of an annular ring 126 and fits loosely on head 44 therebypermitting relative rotation between the collar and head. The bottom ofthe head carries an annular seal 56 which may be an "O-ring" of neoprenerubber for providing an annular seal between the coupler unit A and theupper surface of keg adapter unit B surrounding the beer and gaspassages communicating between the coupler unit and the keg adapter.

Keg adapter B is held in the standard opening 22 of a Peerless type kegby means adapted to cooperate with the standard flange or collar 23 in amanner particularly shown in FIGURES 6a-6e of application Ser. No.587,627. This securing means includes a ring 126 which has its lower endspaced slightly above the top of keg 20 and which is internally threadedat to receive externally threaded ring 192 as more fully described inthe aforementioned copending applications. Ring 192 includes athin-walled section having upwardly-projecting diametrically oppositelugs 193 and a pair of inwardlyprojecting diametrically opposedabutments, not shown, both formed on its periphery. To secure kegadapter B in the keg opening, ring 192 is snapped over the keg flange sothat it rests on the top wall 24 of keg 20 with the lugs 193 extendingupwardly. The ring 192 is aligned so that the depending lugs, not shown,on the flange fit between adjacent lugs and tabs on the ring. The kegadapter unit is checked to be sure that the adapter is properlypositioned within keg opening 22. The ring 26 is then placed over theupper end of the adapter and aligned with the keg flange. Thereafter,the ring 126 is threaded on ring 192 so that the ring 192 is drawn upwithin the lower inside portion of ring 126 until the upper ends of thelugs 193 on ring 192 contact the underside of the keg flange with theabutments, not shown, engaging the depending lugs on the keg flange.Thus, when the rings 126 and 192 are assembled, they cooperate with thekeg flange to securely lock keg adapter unit within the keg opening 22to prevent any longitudinal or rotational movement of the adapter unitrelative to the opening. Ring 1992 may be inexpensively molded ofplastic without sacrificing strength or ruggedness of the keg adapterunit B since the metal ring 126 completely protects the plastic securingring 192 as well as the adapter unit. By removing one of the lugs andabutments, ring 192 may be made of metal and still slipped over thePeerless collar 23 to act in a similar manner.

Referring now particularly to FIGURES 2 and 3, the keg adapter unit Bcomprises a tubular s'eeve 310, an upper cyclindrical ring 312, a valvehousing 314 and a lower closure plate 316. Sleeve 310 is formed fromtubular stock to a diameter as to be readily receivable within thethree-quarter inch opening 23 of the Peerless type keg, providing a snugfit therewith as seen in FIG- URE 2. Ring 312 comprises an annulus whichis internally stepped to provide a pair of shoulders 318 and 320. and anannular seat 322 for an O-ring seal 416 (FIGURE 2). The upper inner edgeof ring 312 extends radially inwardly to form a lip portion 324 throughwhich is provided four notches 326. The outer periphery of ring 312 isalso stepped to provide an outer annular flange 328.

Valve housing 314 is comprised of an integral allmetal constructionformed preferably from hex-bar stock having an intermediate body portion330 retaining the external hexagonal configuration with the upperportion thereof being machined to form a cylindrical section 332 ofreduced radius. Value housing 314 is internally bore through the upperend thereof to form a series of progressively diametrically reduced boreopenings 333, 335 and 337 providing shoulders 334 and 336 for purposesas will become clear. The lower portion 338 of valve housing 314 iscomprised of a cylindrical nipple portion 338 extending eccentricallyfrom the intermediate hexagonal portion 330. Nipple portion 338 isaxially bored as at 340 and communicates laterally with the boreopenings formed through the top of valve housing 314 forming a throughpassage. Plate 316 comprises a circular disk having a laterally offsetcircular opening 344 of a diameter to receive the annular flanges 342,formed on the lower portion of nipple portion 338. Disk 316 is alsoprovided with D-shaped opening 346 in plan view from which projects asimilarly D-shapped nipple 348. Preferably, nipple 348 is formedintegrally with disk 316 as by a drawing process. Keg adapter unit Balso includes a siphon tube 350 which has an arcuate midsection as seenin FIGURE 1 and a lower end which, when keg adapter B lies in finalassembly within the keg 20, terminates adjacent the bottom of keg 20.The lower end of tube 350 is flared outwardly to form a conicallytapered section as at 352 and this facilitates ingress of beer from thekeg into the siphon tube 350 without significantly contorting the beerpath. The upper end of siphon tube 350 is diametrically reduced as by aswaging process to be receivable within the lower bore 340 of theeccentrically extending nipple portion 338 of housing 314.

To assemble the various parts of the keg adapter B thus described, ring312 is disposed about the upper end of tube 310 with the annular endface of sleeve 310 butting shoulder 320. Valve housing 314 is insertedWithin sleeve 310 and may be retained therein by suitable means, as by aspot weld, prior to final securement thereof as hereinbelow amplified.Disk 316 is then inserted within the lower end of sleeve 310 with theanular flange 342 of nipple portion 338 being received through opening344. The siphon tube 350 is then inserted within the bore 340 and itwill be appreciated that both the disk 316 and siphon 350 may be spotwelded to sleeve 310 and valve housing 314, respectively, prior to finalsecurement of the parts comprising the keg adapter B as will now bedescribed. The parts of this subassembly are then brazed one to theother by a suitable brazing process, for example by furnace brazing,with the result that the completed assembly as seen in FIGURE 2 forms anintegral unit without the usual crevices, holes and the like nori mallyassociated with parts secured one to the other as by screw threads andotherwise than by integrally forming processes such as brazing.

Refering now to FIGURE 2, a valve is provided in the valve housing 314and comprises a chuck washer 240 having a diametrically enlarged upperend 242, the lower annular face of which seats against shoulder 334 withthe lower reduced diameter portion of washer 240 being received withinintermediate bore opening 335. Received within the valve housing 314 isa bifurcated valve 246 comprised of a plate 247 around the lower reduceddiameter end of which is wrapped one end of a helical compression spring248. Bifurcations 250 and 252 of the valve 246 project upwardly througha central aperture 254 in chuck washer 240 for engagement with the noseof the probe as seen in FIGURE 2. Valve 246 is normally closed by spring248, pushing plate 247 against the underside of chuck washer 240 whichforms the valve seat. The bifurcations or upwardly-extending arms 250and 252 are notched at their upper ends to receive the lower end of thehollow probe 45 of the coupler unit A with the lips of bifurcations 250and 252 being received within probe 45. When the spring 248 iscompressed by the probe 45, beer is free to flow upwardly through thevalve, i.e, around plate 247 and through the area betwee the bifurcatedarms 250 and 252 into the hollow end of the probe 45. The lower end ofcompression spring 248 bears against the shoulder 336 formed on thevalve housing 314.

Received within the upper end of sleeve 310 is a metal insert 360 havinga substantially cubic configuration as illustrated as well as a centraltubular bore 362 in coaxial alignment with the bores 333, 3-35 and 337formed through valve housing 314. Insert 360 has the lower end of eachof its four edges cut away as at 34 (FIGURE 5) to form curved or arcuatecorners. The upper ends of the four corners are cut back as at 366 witha portion between the cut back portions 366 and arcuate corners 364forming projecting shoulders 368 at each corner. Insert 360 is placedinto the upper end of tube 310 and rotated until the shoulders 368 arealigned with and passed through the respective notches 326 in the top ofthe ring 312. A snap ring 370, having preferably a natural diametergreater than the diameter of the intermediate portion of ring 312between shoulders 318 and 320 and preferably having an overlappingportion greater than three-quarters of its circumference, is radialycompressed and inserted through the opening at the upper end of rings312 to bear against the upper ledges of shoulders 368. It will bereadily seen that by releasing snap 370, it engages below annular lip324 to clamp the insert 360 between lip 324 and the upper face of chuckwasher 240 to maintain the latter in sealing engagement about the boreopening in valve housing 314. It will be readily appreciated that thearcuate configuration of the snap ring 370 and the cubic or square crosssectional configuration of the insert 360 cooperate to permit a gaspassage along the four faces of the insert 360 communicating with theannular space between the cylindrical portion 332 and sleeve 310 which,in turn, lies in communication with a cavity 372 formed between thelower end of sleeve 310 and the nipple portion 338 of housing 314 viathe cooperation of the linear sides of the hexagonal portion 314 and thetubular sleeve 310.

As best seen in FIGURES 2 and 5, a gas check valve 374 is provided inthe form of an elongated flexible tube having the cross sectional shapeof a half circle or D- shape. The tube is preferably formed of siliconerubber but may be formed of gum rubber or of plastic materials. Theupper end 376 of the D-shaped tube 374 is open and is receivable withinthe D-shaped nipple 348 of disk 316 at the lower end of adapter unit B.A metal D-shaaped insert 378 is disposed within the D-shaped end 376and, when finally assembled, bears outwardly to press the end portion376 against the D-shaped nipple 348. A suitable adhesive, such as 108WSilicone Cement manufactured by General Electric Co., may be appliedabout the flexible tube end 376 prior to assembly to further insure theseal thereof with nipple 348. The closed lower end 380 of gas checkvalve 374 is provided with a single longitudinal elongated slit 382.Formed in the curved vertical wall 384 of the gas check valve 374 is asecond elongated, vertically-extending slit 394 and a third similar slit396 is formed in the diametrically extending wall 398 thereof. Thesethree slits permit gas under pressure to pass outwardly of gas checkvalve 374 into the interior of the beer keg 20 but prevent either gas orliquid from flowing outwardly of the keg. A detailed description of thegas check valve 374 is provided in copending application. Ser. No.676,291, now abandoned. It will be appreciated that all three slits arenot necessary and that one or two of any of the three slits will providea satisfactorily-performing gas check valve.

It is a particular feature hereof that the collar 126 is formed ofreadily available tubular stock rather than machined from bar stock asare the collars on similar units of this type. The great expense ofmachining the collar from bar stock, normally stainless steel stock, aswell as the waste of the material thus machined is by the presentinvention completely eliminated. Referring now to FIGURES 7-9, collar126 is formed of a first ring 400 out from tubular stainless steel stockand provided with internal threads at one end as at 401 and externalthreads 402 at the opposite end having a larger pitch. To form theradially inwardly extending flange portion 403 of collar 126 as seen inFIGURE 2 and which overlies the annular shoulder 328 of keg unit B, aring 404, also cut from tubular stock is provided and has stepped innerand outer diameter portions 405 and 406 respectively forming annularshoulders 407 and 408. Ring 404 is inserted within collar 126 with theshoulder 409 on collar 126 retaining the ring from movement through thecollar. A notch 410 is formed along the inner bore of collar 126 andring 404 may be struck as by a hammer to force a portion thereof intonotch 410 whereby the ring is fixed within collar 126. In this manner,the retaining collar 126 normally employed on units of this type can befabricated from low cost, readily available, tubular stock with theassembly of the collar and ring being readily and easily accomplished.

It is another feature hereof that there is provided a unique double sealarrangement (FIGURE 10) on the lower end of probe 45. A seal 47a,comprising an O-ring, is disposed in an annular recess formed about thelower end portion of probe 45 with the -ring bearing about the bore 362of metal insert 360. An O-ring seal 47b, formed to a slightly largerdiameter than O-ring 47a, seats about the upper periphery of bore 362through the metal insert 360 whereby the seals 47a and 47b comprise adouble seal between the liquid and gas passages. The lower seal 47aprevents spitting of the tapping unit when the coupler unit A iswithdrawn from the keg adapter B as the valve 246 normally seats underthe bias of spring 248 prior to complete withdrawal of probe 45 frominsert 360. Should the lower valve ring 47a abrade or become otherwisedamaged as to form an incomplete or ineffective seal about the bore 362,the seal 47b prevents the gas en tering keg adapter B through theannular gas passageway in the coupler unit from entering the fluid lineand the beer from going wild.

In use, the keg adapter B is readily inserted through and sealed withinthe keg opening 23 at the brewery by clamoing collar 126 about ring 192and the adapter flange 312 to draw ring 192 against the underside of thekeg opening flange while simultaneously clamping an O-ring seal 416between the collar and keg flanges. When the keg is delivered to thebeer dispensing establishment, coupler A is secured to the keg adapter Bwith the lower end of the probe being inserted within the bore 362 ofinsert 360. By threading the collar 118 about the collar 126, the probe45 engages the [bifurcated stern 246] bifurcations 250 and 252 to openthe valve 246 [256] against the bias of spring 243. Gas from thepressure source (not shown) is supplied to the keg through the nipple@144 into the annular area about probe 45 and within head 44 with thegas flowing past the retaining ring 370 and the square sides of insert360 and downwardly about said cylindrical portion 332 of housing 314 andinto the lower cavity 372 past the hexagonal intermediate portion 338 ofhousing 314 for delivery into check valve 374. The gas enters the kegthrough the slits 382, 394 and 396 of check valve 374 forcing beer intothe lower end of siphon tube 35!) past the open valve 246 into probe 45for ultimate delivery to the faucet 40 via conduit 48.

It will thus be seen that the objects of the invention are fullyaccomplished in that there has been provided an impoved tapping devicecomprised of a keg adapter unit having parts formed of all-metalconstruction (valve parts excepted) and which may be readily secured oneto the other as by brazing to form an integral all-metal keg adapterunit. The parts moreover are formed of tubular and bar stock asapplicable and are therefore readily fabricated, permitting constructionof the keg adapter unit at low cost. Moreover, the foregoing is providedwith an improved metal insert and retainer ring further reducing thecost of the parts of the keg adapter and facilitating 10 ready assemblyof the valve parts thereof. In addition, there has been provided aunique double seal construction on the coupler unit probe providing adouble seal protective feature heretofore unavailable in tapping devicesof this type.

The invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departingfrom the spirit or essential characteristics thereof.

What is claimed and desired to be secured by United States LettersPatent is:

[1. A liquid dispensing apparatus for use with a keg or like containerfor liquids which has top, bottom and side walls with an opening in onewall of said keg characterized in that it comprises: a keg adaptercomprising tubular means insertable into the opening in the one wallfrom outside said keg and adapted to be secured within the keg wallopening, a gas passage through said tubular means, a check valve incommunication with said gas passage through said tubular means, a liquidpassage through said tubular means for the transfer of liquid from theinside to the outside of the keg, said liquid passage bypassing said gaspassage, a normally-closed valve in said liquid passage, a valveretainer insert in said tubular means, said insert having a hollow,generally polygonal cross section defining a central liquid passage andgas passageways between its sidewalls and the interior of said tubularmeans, said tubular means having a radially inwardly-projecting shoulderportion, and means for locking said insert in said tubular meansincluding a locking ring engageable between said shoulder portion andsaid insert] [2. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said tubularmeans comprises a sleeve and said shouldered portion includes a radiallyinwardly-extending annular flange formed about the upper end of saidsleeve, said insert having shoulders rotatable within said sleeve belowsaid flange, said flange including notches permitting passage of saidshoulders past said flange into said sleeve with said ring beingdisposed between said flange and said shoulders] [3. Apparatus accordingto claim 1 wherein the upper corner portions of said polygonally-shapedinsert are cut back to form a plurality of shoulders, said ring engagingbetween the respective shouldered portions of said tubular means andsaid insert] [4. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the upper end ofsaid tubular means includes a radially inwardlyextending flange formingsaid shoulder portion thereof, said ring engaging between said insertand the underside of said flange and defining gas passages between saidring and the side walls of said insert] [5. A liquid dispensingapparatus for use with a keg or like container for liquids which hastop, bottom and side walls with an opening in one wall of said kegcharacterized in that it comprises: a keg adapter comprising tubularmeans insertable into the opening in the one wall and adapted to besecured within the keg wall opening, a valve housing within said tubularmeans having at least a portion thereof polygonal in cross-section, aliquid passage through said valve housing and said tubular means for thetransfer of liquid from the inside to the outside of the keg, a gaspassage through said tubular means and including the openings formedbetween the side walls of said polygonal valve housing portion and wallportions of said tubular means, a normally closed valve carried by saidvalve housing and a check valve in said gas passage] [6. Apparatusaccording to claim '5 wherein said tubular means and said valve housingare formed of metal with the side edges of said polygonally-shapedhousing portion being welded to said tubular means] 7. Apparatusaccording to claim 5 wherein the liquid passage through the innerportion of said valve housing is laterally offset from the axis of saidtubular means, and means closing the inner end portion of said tubularmeans about said laterally offset liquid passage and de' fining alaterally offset chamber with said tubular means and said valve housing,said gas check valve being laterally offset and disposed incommunication with said chamber.

8. Apparatus according to claim including means enclosing the lower endportion of said tubular means about said liquid passage, said closingmeans including said gas check valve, the latter comprising an elongatedenvelope formed of a flexible material having a slit therethrough forpermitting ingress of gas through said gas passage into the keg andpreventing egress of liquid into said gas passage.

9. Apparatus according to claim 5 including a valve retainer insert insaid tubular means, said insert having a hollow, generally polygonalcross-section defining a central liquid passageway in communication withthe liquid passage through said valve housing, and gas passagewaysbetween the side walls of said insert and wall portions of said tubularmeans in communication with said openings, and means locking said insertin said tubular means.

10. Apparatus according to claim 5 wherein said valve housing includesan outer cylindrical portion having a diameter less than the diameter ofsaid tubular means to define an annular gas passageway therebetween incommunication with said openings, the inner end portion of said valvehousing terminating in a laterally offset nipple, and means closing theinner end portion of said tubular means about said nipple and having anopening therethrough in communication with said gas passage and said gascheck valve.

[11. Apparatus according to claim 5 wherein said valve housing is formedof metal bar stock having a polygonal cross section] 12. Apparatusaccording to claim 5 wherein said tubular means includes a metal sleeve,said valve housing being formed of metal and including an inwardlyprojecting nipple defining a portion of said liquid passage, said kegadapter including a metal disk having an opening for receiving saidnipple and an opening for receiving said gas valve, said valve housingand said disk being welded to said sleeve.

[13. Apparatus according to claim 5 wherein said valve housing portioncomprises a regular polygon in cross section] [14. Apparatus accordingto claim 13 wherein said tubular means and said valve housing are formedof metal, and means for securing said valve housing to said tubularmeans] 15. Apparatus according to claim 9 wherein said tubular meansincludes a sleeve having a radially inwardly-extending annular flange,said insert having shoulders rotatable within said sleeve below saidflange, said flange including notches permitting passage of saidshoulders past said flange into said sleeve, said locking meansincluding a ring disposed between said flange and said shoulders.

16. Apparatus according to claim 9 including a dispensing coupling unitfor dispensing liquid from the keg, said dispensing coupling unitcomprising: a coupler head having a member disposed therein forming aliquid passage, means through said coupler head, gas passage means insaid coupler head, said liquid passage means and said gas passage meansbeing segregated one from the other and means for securing said couplerunit about the keg wall opening with said liquid passage means incommunication with said liquid passageway in said insert and said gaspassage means in communication with said gas passageways defined by therespective side walls and wall portions of said insert and tubularmeans.

17. Apparatus according to claim 7 wherein said gas check valvecomprises an elongated envelope open at one end in communication withsaid gas passage and formed of a flexible material, said envelope havinga slit therethrough for permitting ingress of gas from said gas passageinto the keg and preventing egress of liquid into said gas pasagc, saidclosing means including a flange and a 12 hand within the open end ofsaid envelope pressing the latter against said flange to form a sealtherewith.

:18. Apparatus according to claim 12 wherein said tubular means includesan annular flange about the outer end of said sleeve, said flange beingformed of metal and welded to said sleeve whereby said valve housing,sleeve, disk and flange form a unitary all metal keg adapter.

[19. Apparatus according to claim 1 including a siphon tube incommunication at one end with said liquid passage through said valvehousing, said siphon tube terminating at its other end in an outwardlyflared inlet] 20. A liquid dispensing apparatus for use with a keg orlike container for liquids which has top, bottom and side walls with aneck-opening in one wall of the keg having a flange spaced from said onewall characterized in that it comprises: a keg adapter comprisingtubular means insertable into the opening in the one wall from outsidethe keg and having a flange engageable about the flange of the kegopening, a liquid passage through said tubular means for the transfer ofliquid from the inside to the outside of the keg, a normally closedvalve in said liquid passage, a gas passage through said tubular means,a check valve in said gas passage for permitting ingress of gas throughsaid tubular means into the keg and means for retaining said keg adapterwithin the keg opening and including an externally threaded ringengageable with the underside of the keg opening flange, an internallythreaded collar for threadedly engaging about said ring, and a secondring having an inwardly-directed flange overlying said adapter flange,said second ring being clamped between said collar and the keg openingflange when said collar and said externally threaded ring threadedlyengage one another.

21. Apparatus according to claim 20 wherein said collar and said secondring are formed from tubular stock.

22. Apparatus according to claim 21 wherein said collar and said secondring have respective complementary internal and external steppeddiametrical portions, and means for securing said collar and said secondring one to the other.

23. Apparatus according to claim 22 including a groove formed in theinternal wall of said collar, said securing means including a portion ofsaid second ring receivable within said groove.

24. Apparatus according to claim 20 including a siphon tube incommunication at one end with said liquid passage through said valvehousing, said siphon tube terminating at its other end in an outwardlyflared inlet.

[25. Apparatus adapted for use in tapping a keg or like container forstoring liquids such as beer, said keg having top, bottom, and sidewalls with an opening in at least one wall of said keg, the keg wallopening being sealed by a keg adapter unit having a cylindrical bore anda dispensing coupler unit connected to said keg adapter for dispensingliquid from the keg, said dispensing coupler unit subcombinationcomprising: a coupler head having a probe disposed therein forming aliquid passage means through said coupler unit, gas passage means insaid coupler head, said liquid passage means and said gas passage meansbeing segregated one from the other, one end of said probe projectingfrom said coupler head for engagement within the cylindrical bore of thekeg adapter unit, said probe carrying a pair of axially-spaced sealingrings having ditferent diameters, the outermost sealing ring having asmaller diameter than the diameter of the inner ring and beingreceivable within the cylindrical bore of the keg adapter, the largerdiameter sealing ring being adapted to seal about the opening of thecylindrical bore to provide a double seat through the bore when saidcoupler unit and the keg adapter unit are operably connected one to theother.1

[26. A liquid dispensing apparatus adapted for use with a keg or likecontainer for liquids which has a top, bottom and side walls with anopening in one wall of said keg characterized in that it comprises; akeg adapter including a metal main body adapted to be secured within thekeg wall opening, said main body including a central annular portionhaving a liquid passage extending therethrough for transfer of liquidfrom the inside to the outside of a keg; normally closed liquid valvemeans in the liquid passage through said central portion, said main bodyincluding a sleeve defining with said central portion an annular gaspassage therebetween and bypassing said liquid passage and said liquidvalve means for transmitting gas through said adapter from the outsideto the inside of the keg, means interrupting a portion of said annulargas passage to form a plurality of circumferentially spaced passagewaysabout said liquid passage and gas valve means carried by said adapterbody and associated with said gas passage for permitting in a valve openposition flow of gas toward the inside of the keg and preventing in avalve closed position flow of liquid from a keg into said gas passage][27. Apparatus according to claim 26 wherein said gas valve meansincludes a flexible member] [28. Apparatus according to claim 26 whereinsaid central portion includes a substantially annular shoulder and avalve seat, said liquid valve means including a valve stem and a springseating on said annular shoulder and urging said valve stem toward saidseat to maintain said liquid valve means in a normally closed position][29. Apparatus according to claim 28 including a siphon tube extendingfrom the lower end of said adapter body in communication with the liquidpassage therethrough] [30. Apparatus according to claim 26 wherein saidadapter body includes a substantially radially outwardly directedflange, and a sealing ring between said flange and the marginal portionsof the keg about the opening] 31. A liquid dispensing apparatus adaptedfor use with a keg or like container for liquids which has a top, bottomand side walls with an opening in one wall of said keg surrounded by aconventional unthreaded keg neck including a flange extending laterallytherefrom and spaced from said one wall and for further use with aliquid dispensing coupler characterized in that it comprises: a kegadapter having a liquid passage therethrough for transfer of liquid fromthe inside to the outside of a keg and a gas passage therethrough forthe transfer of gas from the outside to the inside of the keg, said kegadapter including a generally tubular main body having an upperlaterally enlarged portion and a lower reduced portion adapted to besecured within the keg wall opening with said laterally enlarged portionadapted to overlie the keg neck flange, said keg adapter including acentral annular portion defining a liquid passageway, said liquidpassageway forming at least a part of said liquid passage through saidkeg adapter; normally closed liquid valve means in said liquid passage,said tubular body defining with said central portion an annular gaspassageway therebetween, said gas passageway forming at least a part ofsaid gas passage through said keg adapter: means interrupting a portionof said gas passage to form a plurality of circumferentially spaced gaspassageways about said liquid passage, gas valve means carried by saidkeg adapter and associated with said gas passage for permitting in avalve open position flow of gas toward the inside of the keg andpreventing in a valve closed position flow of liquid from the kegthrough said gas passage, retaining means for securing said adapter inthe keg opening and including a generally annular portion substantiallycoaxially arranged with said tubular body and releasably engageable withthe upper laterally enlarged portion thereof, said latter mentionedannular portion being adapted to surround the keg neck flange when theadapter is installed in the keg, and being externally threaded forthreaded connection with a liquid dispensing coupler, said retainingmeans further including a pair of laterally inwardly extendingprojections for underlying the keg flange to clamp the keg neck flangebetween said upper laterally enlarged portion of said adapter and saidprojections, and sealing means adapted to be disposed about the kegopening between the keg neck and said body for sealing the adapter aboutthe keg opening.

32. A liquid dispensing apparatus according to claim 31 including aliquid dispensing coupler having a head, means for connecting saidcoupler to said adapter including an internally threaded collarrotatably carried by said coupler head for threaded engagement with saidexternally threaded annular portion, said coupler head including a probefor opening said liquid valve means in said adapter when said dispensingcoupler is conn cted to said adapter, said probe defining a portion of aliquid passage through the coupler head in communication with saidliquid passage in said adapter when said coupler is connected to saidadapter, said coupler head having a gas passage in communication withsaid gas passage in said adapter when said coupler is connected to saidadapter, and sealing means cooperable with said coupler and said adapterfor maintaining said liquid and gas passages segregated one from theother when said coupler is connected to said adapter.

33. A liquid dispensing apparatus according to claim 31 in combinationwith a keg having top, bottom and side walls with an unthreaded openingin said top wall surrounded by a conventional unthreaded keg neck, saidopening having a diameter of about ,4 inch, said neck including aninterrupted flange defining two flange portions extending laterally fromthe keg neck and spaced from said top wall, said projections beingreceivable between said flange portions and engaging the underside ofsaid flange portions upon rotation thereof.

References Cited The following references, cited by the Examiner, are ofrecord in the patented file of this patent or the original patent.

UNITED STATES PATENTS 341,555 5/1886 Collins et al. 2,223,012 11/1940Wanderski et al. 222-4007 2,638,914 5/1953 Flaith et al. 3,065,88311/1962 Nelson 222-399X 2,539,349 1/1951 Giles ZZZ-400.7 3,065,88511/1962 Chatten 222-400.? 3,361,152 1/1968 Akers ZZZ-400.7 X

FOREIGN PATENTS 103,116 5/ 1899 Germany.

697,799 9/1953 Great Britain.

930,015 7/1963 Great Britain.

STANLEY H. TOLLBERG, Primary Examiner Pat (ant 130.

April 17, 19-73 M. S Johnston It is certified U at error appears in theabOvQ- K'EentifiQG patent and that said Letters Patent are herebycorrected as shcu-n below:

Column 7, line 2, "Value" should read --Valve--; line 14, "flanges"should read --flange--; line 17, "D-shapped" should read --D-shaped--;line 39, "anular" should read -annular--.

Column 8, line 213-, "rings" should read "ring".

Column 9, line 24, "hearing" should read beaminq Column 11, line 75,Claim 17, "pasage" should read -passage--.

Signed and sealed this 20th day of November 1973.

(SEAL) Attest:

RENE D. TEGTMEYER Acting Commissioner of Patents EDWARD M.FLETCHER,JR.Attesting Officer moo Disclaimer Rm 27,627..l[ack S. Johnson, RollingHills. Calif. BEER TAPPING DE- VICE. Patent dated Apr. 17, 1973.Disclaimer filed June 11, 1973, by the assigneo Draft SF stems. Inc.

Hereby disclaims the portion of the term of the patent \\'lli('llextends beyond Jan. 25, 1983.

